Coin sorting and counting machine



y 1959 N. E. BROWN ET Al. 2,886,045

COIN SORTING AND COUNTING MACHINE .Filed Feb. 16, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 1st r Tzuz lm 3/ 4/4 N. E. BROWN ET AL COIN SORTING AND COUNTING MACHINEMay 12, 1959 2,886,045

Filed Feb. 16, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 2, 1959 N. E. BROWN ET 1. 2,886,045

COIN SORTING AND COUNTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Feb. 16, 1954 8 Shegcs-Sheet 4 May 12, 1959 N. E. BRQWN ETAL.

' com SORTING AND COUNTING MACHINE a Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 16, 1954May 12, 1959 N. E. BRQWN ET Al. 5

com SORTING AND COUNTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1954" a Sheets-Sheet eMay 12, 1959 N. 'E. BROWN ,ET AL ,0

COIN SORTING AND COUNTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1954 r 8 Sheets-Sheet 7May 12, 1959 Filed Feb. 16, 1954 N. E. BROWN ETAL COIN SORTING ANDCOUNTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 United States Patent COIN 'SORTING ANDCOUNTING MACHINE Norman E. Brown and Jan Dawidowicz, Woon socket, R.I.,assignors to Abbott Coin Counter Company, Inc, New York, N.Y., acorporation of Delaware Application February 16, 1954, Serial No.410,503

16 Claims. (Cl. 133-3) The invention is concerned with coin handlingdevices and particularly with a coin sorting and counting ma chine inwhich a rotary coin handling head and associated elements are adapted tosort the coins and deliver the respective denominations to separatecompartments, and concurrently to count the coins of the respectivedenominations.

Such type of machine is well known in general, but the machine of thepresent invention embodies a new principle of operation in which,according to the specific form shown, the coins are handled by a pair ofrotary plates with an intervening stationary gage plate, the advance,counting, and selective delivery of the coins being effected by aspecial arrangement of retractable and rigid abutments carried by thelower coin carrying plate, the retractable abutments being effective todeliver impulses to the counter mechanism and the rigid abutrnentsserving to direct the coins into the respective appropriate dischargepassages and receptacles. The system is marked by sharp discriminationin the sorting of the coins and the separa tion therefrom of odd size orforeign coins or objects having a diameter between those of standardcoins.

The objects of the invention include an improved form of operatingconnection to the counter units embodying an arrangement of flexiblesteel cables and pulleys for transferring the counting impulses whichcontribute to the simplicity and compactness. The machine may be readilyconverted with a minimum of change to handle different coins and adifferent range of coins. The driving gearing is compactly arranged in afully enclosed sealed permanently lubricated housing part.

The machine as a whole is particularly marked by its compactness,simplicity and relatively light weight, many of the bulky parts andlinkage mechanisms characterizing previous devices for the purpose beingeliminated or reduced.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a view looking perpendicular to the inclined coin plates, withthe hopper cut away as indicated on the line 1--1 of Figure 2;

Fig. la is a fragmentary section on the line 1a--1a of Figure 1 showingdetails of the coin whisker means;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on substantially the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a section showing the counter operating connections;

Fig. 4 is a side view looking from the right in Figure 3 of .the mainsupporting frame .for the rotary, parts show- Fig. 8 is a horizontalsection looking down on the upper coin boxes on the line 8-8 of Figure7;

Fig. 9 shows the jaws of the upper coin compartments in open dumpingposition;

Fig. 10 is a detail fragmentary view on the line 10--10 of Figure 8showing the geared connection at the rear between trunnions of the jawsof an upper coin com-* partment;

Fig. 11 is a plan view looking down on the surface of the lower rotarycoin carrying plate;

Fig. 12 is a view looking upward at the bottom of the stationary gageplate;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the main rotary table with the coincarrying plates omitted, and with the stationary coin sorting plateindicated somewhat diagrammatically;

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view of the rotary table taken on the line14-14 of Figure 13;

Figs. 15 to 20 are fragmentary views showing the progressive steps inthe advance and registration of a coin and its delivery into acollection chute;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary view showing a coin plan in counter registeringposition; and, t

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 2222 of Figure 21.

The embodiment of the invention in the specific form shown in thedrawings includes an outer shell or casing 10 having therein a mainframe or inner housing 11 secured to and supported on a pair of sideplates, of which one is indicated at 12 (Fig. 2), supported on andextending upwardly from the base plate 13. A main rotary table 14 ismounted on an inclined axis in the main frame the angle preferably beingat about 45 to the horizontal. The mounting for the table includes acentral stub shaft 15 having a flange 16 to which the table is securedby spaced counter sunk screws 17. The table and and shaft are supportedby suitable bearings comprising the radial bearing 18 and the thrustbearing 19. The latter encircles a boss on the lower surface of therotary table and is seated within an annular flange of the main framepart 11. The radial bearing 18 is secured within its opening in the mainframe part by an annular plate 20 secured to the frame part by suitablescrews.

The table and parts, carried thereby are adapted to be rotated in acontinuous manner from an electric motor 25 mounted within the casing 10on the base plate 13 having a belt drive 26 to a pulley secured on thetrans,- verse shaft 27 to which is also secured a worm 28 meshing withand driving the worm gear 29 secured on the shaft 15 on which the rotarytable parts are also secured. The gearing is mounted within acylindrical extension 11a of the inner housing 11 the extension having aremovable cover 11b. As will be apparent from Figures 2 and 4 a verycompact arrangement results with the drive gearing fully enclosed andself-lubricating in a small housing part. Suitable means may be includedfor hand operation, particularly in case of jamming, as for example ahand rotatable part adapted to be clutched into engagement with aprojecting end of the shaft 27. The particular details of such anoperating connection are not important and are not shown in thedrawings.

A coin hopper indicated at 30, in Figure 2 is secured to the front faceof the machine by an annular ring 31 Patented May 12, 1959,

ha in gs? fittin {eta t e n 32 of the from face plate. The bottom of thelidpprcomprises' rotary coin carrying parts now to be described. Themain rotary tablev 14. has secured thereto a lower coin carrying plate35 shown in crosssection in Figure 2 and in plan in Figure 11, and anupper coin carrying plate 36. As indicated in Figures 13 and 14 table 14is provided with an annular series of threaded holes 36a for thereception of screws securing the top plate 36 thereto and a similarseries of threaded holes 35a for screws for securing the bottom plate 35thereto. Sandwiched between the two rotary coin carrying plates is astationary gage plate 37 having outer portions projecting beyond therotary plates including an upper portion secured to the outer flangepart of the main frame 11 by counter sunk screws 38 (Fig. 2). Thegeneral shape of the gage plate may be seen in the bottom plan of Figure12. The upper coin carrying plate 36 is shown particularly in Figure 1and, as thereindicated, is providedwith a series of eight openings orscallops adapted to pick up coins fromthe hopper and carry them aroundto the upper part of the machine, as the plates'rotate counter clockwisein Figure 1. The openings 40 have a size such as'to accommodate thelargest coin to be sorted such as a piece, but are too small to permitcoins of the smallest denominations such as dimes to lie flatwise sideby side therein. The area around each scalloped opening is suitablybeveled down to'a relatively thin edge at the opening as indicated at40a in Figures 1 and 2. Suitable whisker means which may be located inthe path of coins as they are moved around in the scallops serve, incooperation with the beveled edges, to sweep 01f any bent coins or upperlayer of coins assuring that only one coin remains in any of theopenings 40. Such a means is shown particularly in Fig. 111 comprising afinger 41 pivoted on pin 41a urged counter clockwise thereon by a leafspring 41b. A second similar means may be provided comprising a finger41c pivoted on pin 41d on which is also mounted a part 412 to which isconnected a tension spring 41 In the present case the lever 41 isdesigned to remove all extra coins except possibly dimes and lever 410to remove any remaining extra dimes.

The bottom coin carrying plate 35, shown in plan in Figure 11, isprovided with a series of abutments in the form of pins 42 and 43projecting upwardly therefrom. The pins 42 are retractable being heldupwardly by resilient means comprising a spring, as will be described inmore detail. The mounting support for the pins including the springs isonthe table part 14 but the pins move around with the bottom plate 35.The pins 43 are supported directly on and are rigid with the table 35.The retractable and rigid pins are arranged alternately. Located "at theouter edge'of the plate 35 are a series of upwardly projectingarc-shaped flange parts 44 adapted to retain the coins against radialmovement under conditions to be described. The number of each type ofthepins and the number of the flanges 44 are the same as the number of coinopenings 40 in the upper plate 36, which inthe present machine is eight,and as will appear from a description of the operation the parts have aparticular relation to each other.

Located around and conforming to the periphery of the lower majorportion of the rotary plate 35 is a stationary coin sorting plate 46(Figures 2 and 11), having suitable coin passages of the desired number,of which there are nine shown in the present case indicated in Figure 11successively by the reference characters 48, 49, 50,51, 52, 53, 54, and56. These passages comprise milled out flat channels in the uppersurface of the sort ing plate 46. As will be described more fullyhereinafter, the channels communicate downwardly with receiving drawersor a discard chamber in the case of odd size cows.

The intermediate fixed gage plate 37 is shown in bottom plan in Figure12 and in cross section inFigure 2. It has a central opening to receivethe reduced diametral portion 14a of the main table part 14 (Figures 2and 14) and the area immediately surrounding the opening is thicker toprovide a downwardly projecting boss (Figs. 2 and 12). The outer edge 61of the boss forms the inner edge or wall of a coin channel. The edge 61is stepped successively outwardly by the shoulders 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d,61c, 611", 61g and 61h respectively thereby to narrow the channelprogressively in the direction of coint'ravel which in Figure 12 wouldbe clockwise. The gage plate has a groove 63 in its under surface inwhich the upper ends of the pins 42 and 43 travel, as will be described.The groove 63 is interrupted by an arc-shaped opening 64 extendingthrough the gage plate. The opening is shown in full lines in Figures 1and 12, and is shown superimposed in broken lines in Figure 11 toindicate its relation to the bottom coin carrying plate 35. In thenormal operation coins are carried around by the upper coin carryingplate 36 in the scalloped openings 40'to the upper area where they dropthrough the opening 6 4 in the gage plate onto, the upper surface of thebottom coin carrying plate 35 in advance of one of the displaceable pins42 The major coin contacting parts and particularly the upper and lowerplates 36 and 35, the gage plate 37 and the sorting plate. 46 arecomposed of hardened tool steel to resist wear. The table 14, however,and the major frame parts may be made of a lightweight material such asaluminum.

The coin feeler mechanism for detecting coins and causing a registrationon the respective counter unit will now be described, reference beinghad particularly to Figures 13 and 14 showing the table on which thefeeler mechanisms are mounted and to Figs. 21 and 22 for details of oneofthe feeler units. As appears particularly in Figure 13 the table 14has at its periphery a series of square cut openings of which there areeight innumber in the present machine. A feeler unit is mounted in eachone of these notches, one such beingshown in assembled position atthe'top in Figure 13 but the others are omitted therefrom. Referring toFigures 21 and 22, the detailed parts of one of the feelermechanisms'includesa lever 71 pivoted on a stud 72 extendingsubstantially radially of the table. The free end of the lever 71carries a button 42 comprising the retractable abutments heretofore mentioned which project upwardly through holes in the bottom coin plate 35.The lever and corresponding button 42hr: normally urged into theiruppermost position' by a small plunger 73 mounted in a shell 74 having acylindrical portion 74a mounted in an opening in the table'14 and anouter'flange portion 74!) through which screws extend for securing theshell 74 in the table. The plunger 73 is vertically slidable in acentral opening of the cylindrical portion 74a of the shell, being urgedupwardly by a spring 75 bearing against a shoulder provided by the upperenlarged head of the plunger. In Figure 22 the button 42 is shown in itsdepressed position byr eason of a coin C being positioned'thereover.Details of the operation will be described more fully hereinafter, butit is here noted that as the table and the feel er mechanisms carriedthereby rotate and a coin is stopped by one of the shoulders 61a to 61hof the gage plate, the button 42 is carnrned downwardly, it having anupper, suitably rounded surface to effect such operation. ln thedepressedposition the plunger 73 projects, downwardly a sufficientdistanceto engage, as the table rotates, a lever pivoted to the stationary frame part. Such a lever is shown at 76 in'Figure 22 secured ona shaft 77 mounted in the fixed housing part 1 1and carries at its outerend a roller 78 occupying a position in the path of the plunger 73 whenthe latter is in depressed position. i

The actuating unit including the lever 76 and shaft 77 and associatedmechanism is connected to one of the counter units and there is one ofsuch actuating units for each of the coin denominations to ,be sortedand counted comprising in the present machine five denominations.Accordingly there are shown in Figure 3 five actuating units beingarranged in an are about the center of the main housing and the rotarytable parts mounted therein, the actuating levers corresponding to lever76 of Figure 22 being designated in Figure 5 as 76a, 76b, 76c, 76d and76e respectively.

The character of the counter mechanism forms no part of the presentinvention, such devices being well known and commercially available, thetype and number of the units selected varying with the circumstances.Accordingly details of the counter mechanism are omitted and thedisclosure will be directed to the more important features of theoperating connections thereto. As shown particularly in Figures 4 and 6there are five counter operating shafts 80, 81, 82, 83 and 84 mounted inthe upper part of the frame extending transversely thereof. The presentmachine has a set of counter units at each side. The counter bank 85 atthe right, for example, may be accumulative and the bank 86 at the leftdesigned to register sub-totals for a particular coin sorting run. Thecounter mechanism will include suitable re-set means. The invention isnot concerned with the details thereof but there is shown for the bank86 at the left a knob 87 on shaft 87a connected through suitable gearingindicated generally at 88 (Figures 3 and 5) to the respective units.

Likewise the bank 85 is adapted to be re-set as by a standard key means.The units in each bank are adapted to register separately the respectivedenominations. The cross shaft 80 at the top is connected to registerthe half dollars at the top units and progressively downwardly the unitsregister quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies be-.

ing operated from the shafts 81, 82, 83 and 84 respectively. The shafts80, 81 and 82 are in line with the axes of and are connected directly totheir respective units. The shafts 83 and 84 are off-set downwardly fromthe axes of their respective units and are connected thereto by a shortlinkage. This counter mechanism may, of course, include a totalizer.

An important feature of the present machine resides in the character ofthe operating connections to the counter units which embodies therein aflexible cable for delivering impulses from the coin, feeler meansheretofore described. Referring, for example, to the mechanism (Figure3) for operating shaft 80 and thereby the half dollar counters, theshaft 77 operated by lever 76a has fixed thereto an arm 90a, and aflexible cable 91a connects the outer end of arm 90a to an arm 92a fixedon shaft 80. When, as a result of a half dollar being in registeringposition, the roller 78 is moved to the position indicated in brokenline at 78, and the arm 76a is angularly moved, the arm 90a pulls thecable 91a to rock shaft 80 clockwise looking from the right as in Figure6. Suitable spring means is provided such as indicated at 93 in Figure 6to restore the shaft 80 to its normal position when the pull on thecable is released. The operating connection. described is marked bysimplicity and economy of manufacture. It is entirely free of back lashand noise such as may occur in linkages or gearing made up of asuccession of parts. It enables a more compact arrangement, particularlysince the cables may be passed around suitably mounted sheaves to avoidinterference with other parts. Cable 91a, for example, extends over asheave 94 mounted on a fixed axis.

The feeler mechanisms for the other denominations of coins are similarlyconnected to the respective counter operating cross shafts. The arm 9012located at the quarter station is connected by cable 91b extending overa sheave 95 to anarm fixed on shaft 81. The dime being the smallest insize, the registering mechanism therefor is located at the fartherstation in the clockwise direction in Figure 3 indicated by the feelermechanism lever 76e which is connected by cable 91e over sheave 96 to anarm on counter operating shaft 82. Restoring springs for. these twoshafts 81 and 82 are shown in Figure 6.

The registering mechanism for nickels associated with the lever 76coperates through a lever c and a cable 91c extending over sheaves 87 and98 to an arm mounted on the actuating shaft 83 (Figure 6). In this case,to accommodate various parts, the operating shaft 83 is located in aplane below that of the upper three operating shafts 80, 81 and 82. Therespective counter units are operated from the shaft 83 by a linkagesuch as that shown in Figure 6 for the unit at the left comprising anarm 100 mounted on shaft 83, a connecting link 101 and an arm 102connected to the shaft of the counter unit at the left in Figure 3. Asimilar linkage at the right connects the operating shaft 83 to thecorresponding counter unit.

The registering mechanism for the pennies, associated with the arm 76d,includes an arm 90d connected by cable 91d over sheaves 105 and 106 toan arm on the operating shaft 84 which, through a linkage mechanismshown in Figure 6 similar to that for the nickel units, operates leverscorresponding to that indicated at 106 connected to the respectivecounter units for pennies.

It has been heretofore described in general that coins are deliveredselectively from the coin sorter and counter mechanism into therespective passages in the sorter plate 46 shown particularly in Figure11. Details of the operation in this regard will be later described, butfor the present the description will be directed to the coin collectingcompartments. The specific construction may be varied in accordance withthe circumstances and requirements of particular sorting and countingjobs, and the number of compartments will depend upon the number ofdenominations to be sorted. In the present machine, illustrative of theprinciples involved, there are embodied in the lower part thereof, asshown particularly in Figures 7 and 9, an upper and lower tier ofcompartments the upper compartments being for the temporary receptionand collection of the respective coins which may then, as desired, bedumped into the compartments of the lower tier which comprises drawersadapted to be pulled out with the contents therein.

The compartments in 2. tier are all alike and a description of one willbe sufiicient. Referring to Figures 7 to 10 the upper compartmentsdesignated 110a to 110e are provided with suitable side walls 111 and arear wall part 112 and forward wall part 113. The bottom is comprised ofa pair of jaws 114 arc-shaped in cross section, as indicated in Figures7 and 9, each in the nature of a scoop with a front supporting trunnion115 and a rear supporting trunnion 116 fixed to the respective ends ofthe particular jaws. The front trunnions are rotatably supported in theforward end wall 113 and the rear trunnions are supported in the rearwall 112. A fixed plate 117 extends along the back of all of the drawers(Figs. 2 and 8). Associated with each upper drawer is a vertical lever118 pivoted at its lower end to a common long operating link 119extending across the back, the upper end of the lever in each case beingcarried on a pivot support 118a carried by the plate 117. The jawtrunnions 116 have fixed thereon a pair of meshing gears 120. Each lefthand jaw 114 has in its rear wall a pin 123 extending rearwardly througha large opening in the wall plate 117 and engaged in a hole in the lever118. A spring 122 has its ends engaged over the pin 123 and acorresponding but shorter pin 123a in the right hand jaw 114 to urge thejaws into closed position. The dumping jaws are therefore all connectedtogether and may be operated from a single lever 124 connected to one ofthe front trunnions 115 as shown at the left in Figs. 7 and 8. As thejaws are opened along a middle line at the bottom and for the fulllength, the coins will be more uniformly distributed into the lowerdrawers. lever 124 the springs 122 automatically close the jaws. Theupper drawers are freely removable individually, by pulling on thecorresponding knobs without the need of making any preliminarydisconnections. The sides 111 Upon release of the of the drawers slideon the supporting shoulders. 111a of the casing and the pin connection123 slides freely out of the hole in the lever 118 (Fig. 2).

The lower compartments each comprises a slide drawer 125d to 125e, andthe forward end of each drawer is provided with a suitable knob 126 forits withdrawal.

The compartments, shown in Figures 7 and 8, are designed for" thecollection of half dollers at the extreme.

left and progressively decreasing denomination to the collection ofpennies at the extreme right. The discharge passage 48 shown in Figure11 communicates with a chute 130 (Figure 2 which, as shown, ispositioned to lead the half dollars into the upper. compartment 110a.The coin passage 50 for quarters (Figure 11) is designed to direct suchcoins into the compartment 11012. The passage 56 for dimes connects witha chute 56a (Figures 3 and 11) similar to that shown at 130 but whichcrosses over to the middle and directs the dimes into the middlecompartment 1100. The passage52 for nickels leads to the compartment110d, and the passage 54 leads to the compartment 110@ for pennies.

An important feature of the present invention and the present structuralembodiment thereof includes means for sorting out odd sized coins orobjects having a diameter between standard denominations or sizes. Thiswill be described more in detail in connection with a typical operation,but for the moment it is noted that the passage 49 (Fig. 11) is adaptedto receive coins or objects of a diameter between those of half dollarsand quarters; passage 51 objects having a diameter between those of aquarter and a nickel; passage 53 objects having a diameter between thoseof a nickel and a penny; and passage 55 objects having a diameterbetween those of. a. pennyand a dime. Each of the passages 49, 51, 53and 55 for the odd sized coins leads into a discard chamber which in thepresent construction comprises that indicated at 13.1 (Figures 2 and 4)which extends across the bottom of the main frame or housing part 11from which the discardsmay, at the convenience of theoperator, be rakedor dumped out at the side of the machine.

The operation of the machine will be reviewed in connection particularlywith the view of Figure 12 and the fragmentary illustrations of Figures15 to 20. In the beginning a mass of coins is of course dumped into thehopper 30 and the operation started, which means that the coin plate 36and the lower coin plates and table are continuously rotated in acounter clockwise direction in Figures 1 and'll. Coins are accordinglycarried up to. the top in the scallops 40 with no more than one coin in.

each scallop, and when a coin reaches the opening 64 in the stationarygage plate 37 it drops through onto the. upper surface of the lower coincarrying plate 35 in.

front of one of theretractable pins 42. Assuming the particular coinindicated at H is ahalf dollar, it willbe advanced by the pin orabutment 42 along the gaging channel located below the fiXed plate 37 toa position shown in Figure 15 where it engages against the stationaryshoulder 61a of the gage plate 37 and is stopped temporarily in thatposition, particularly since radial movement of the coin is prevented bythe flange 44.on-

the bottom coin carrying plate. Accordingly the rotary table and platecontinue to advance and the pin. 42 is cammed downwardly and advancesunder the coin as shown in Figures 16 and 17. The downward carnming ofthepin 42, together with the continued advance of the pin, causes thecorresponding plunger 73 to bedepres'sed (Figure 22) and engage theroller 78 on the arm 760 (Figure 3) and the roller to be rnoved to theposition indicated at 782 registration on the corresponding counter unitas heretofore described. In the position of Figure 18 the carriers haveadvanced sufiiiciently that the retractable abutment 42 is released andthe succeeding fixed abutment .43 engages behind the coin H and, theflange 44having,

progressed beyond the coin, it is free to move lradially out- Thisoperation, ofcourse, causes a.

ward asindicated in Figure 19 into the passage. 48 leading to thecollection compartment a heretofore described. Figure 20 shows the coinplate having advanced sufficiently that the next pin 42 has moved into aposition similar to that shown in Figure 15. The coin H in advance ofthe particular pin 42 may be another half dollar but in Figure 20 it isindicated to be of some smaller. denomination and size such as a quarterin which case it will pass on by the shoulder 61a to. the gage shoulderdesigned to restrain that size coin.

The operation in general is similar for coins of smaller denominationthan a half dollar, and likewise for odd sized coins or slugs, exceptthat they progress farther around the gage plate to the appropriateshoulderand discharge passage and, in the case of the odd sized coins,there is no counter feelermechanism positioned to be operated. It willbe recalled that Figure 1-2 is a bottom view looking upwardly at thegage plate and accordingly it will. be noted that the shoulder 61b isdesigned to engage and direct odd sized coins. into the passage 49,shoulder 61c directs quarters into the pas.- sage 50, shoulder 61ddirects odd sized objectsv into passage 51, shoulderv 61a directsnickels into the pas.- sage 52, shoulder 61 directs odd sized objectsinto the passage 53, shoulder 61g directs pennies into the. passage 54,shoulder 61h. directs odd sized objects into the passage 55. Theremaining coins, which in the present machine should normally be dimes,are all adapted to engage an abutment fixed in the gage plate 37 such asthe pin shown in broken line in Fig. 1-1. for stoppingthe furtherprogress of any coins and diverting theminto the passage 56. The farshoulder point oneach of the passages may be provided with. a specialhard: ened abutment to resist wear such as anauxiliary pin, one suchbeing indicated at 136 in Figure 11.

In the foregoing specification and in the claims to follow the termscoin and coins are employed to designate the objects to be sorted: andare-employed in the description of the machine and parts thereof. Itshould be understood, however, such terms are used as a matter ofconvenience and simplification oflanguage and that they are intended tobe regarded in the broad sense and to comprehend tokens and generallyobjects of physically similar disk-like character.

It should also be understood that the description and drawings aredirected to one specific form or embodi ment of the invention and thatvarious changes may be madetherein without departing from the principlesor scope of the invention, and it is intended that all-matter containedin the foregoing description orshown in the accompanying drawings shallbe interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In a coin handling device a gage plate, having a gaging channel inwhich the coins are adapted to be advanced edgewise, an endless movablecoin feeding means having successive spaced abutments projecting intoand movable along said channel and adapted to engage against the edgesof the respective coins, said channel having gaging shoulders adapted tostop the advance of coins of diiferentdiameters at different positionsalongthe channel, said abutments being resiliently urged intoicoinfeeding position and automatically retractable to permit continuedmovement of the conveyor when the corresponding coin is stopped, countermeans connected to be operated by the retraction of the abutments, andmeans for discharging the stopped coins from said-chan-. nel.

2. In a coil sorting and counting device a gage plate having a gagingchannel in its undersurface in whichthe coins are adapted to lie flattobe-advanced edge.-. wise, a rotary coin feeding tablebelow saidplateihaving successive spaced pins mounted in openingsimsaid' table normallyprojecting into and movable along said channeland adapted toengagenagainst the edges. of. the,

respective coins, said channel having gaging shoulders adapted to stopthe advance of coins of difierent diameters at different positions alongthe channel, said pins being urged by resilient means upwardly into coinfeeding position and having surfaces causing the pins to be cammeddownwardly when the corresponding coin is stopped permitting the pin toadvance with the table under the coin, counter means connected to beoperated bythe retraction of the pins, and means for discharging thestopped coins from said channel.

3. In a coin sorting and counting mechanism, a coin gaging means havinga channel for the coins, a coin receiving means having a series ofdischarge passages for coins of diiferent sizes spaced successivelyalong and adapted to communicate with said channel, means for feedingcoins along said channel, means for temporarily restraining coins insaid channel at positions corresponding respectively to the dischargepassage for the particular coin sizes, said feeding means including aseries of alternately arranged displaceable and rigid coin feedingabutments, the displaceable abutments being operated when its respectivecoin is restrained in said channel and the succeeding rigid abutmentbeing effective to move the coin into the corresponding dischargepassage, and counting means connected to be actuated by the saiddisplacement operation.

4. In a coin handling device, a coin guiding means having a channelalong which coins are adapted to advance said channel having a gagingabutment means against which a coin of predetermined diameter is adaptedto engage, a coin receiving means having a coin discharge passagecommunicating with said channel, a movable coin feeding means includinga resiliently supported displaceable first abutment and a positivelysupported second abutment carried in spaced arrangement thereby, saidfirst abutment being displaced when a predetermined coin is restrainedby said gaging abutment and said second abutment acting thereafter inthe continued movement of the feeding means to cause the coin to bedirected into said discharge mechanism, and operative means connected tobe actuated by the displacement of said first abutment.

5. In a coin counting mechanism, a coin guiding means having a channelalong which coins are adapted to be advanced said channel having agaging abutment means against which a coin of predetermined diameter isadapted to engage, a coin receiving means having a coin dischargepassage communicating with said channel, a movable means for advancingcoins in said channel including a resiliently supported displaceablecoin engaging abutment and a rigid abutment both carried seriatimthereby, said displaceable abutment being displaced when a predeterminedcoin is restrained by said gaging abutment and said rigid abutmentacting thereafter in the continued movement of the feeding means tocause the coin to be directed into said discharge mechanism, andcounting means connected to be actuated by the said displacement of thesaid abutment.

6. In a coin handling mechanism, a coin gaging means having a channelalong which coins are adapted to advance edgewise, means for feedingcoins along said channel, said channel having a side wall with shoulderssuccessively stepped outwardly correspondingly to narrow progressivelythe channel, said shoulders comprising gaging means for differentlysized coins and against which the corresponding coin is adaptedto engageand be ternporarily restrained, said coin feeding means having a seriesof displaceable abutments carried thereby and normally urged into aposition to engage and advance the coins but adapted to be displacedinto an ineffective position when the corresponding coin is temporarilyrestrained, and means for discharging coins from the channel into areceiving means following the respective said displacement operation.

7. In a coin sorting and counting mechanism a gage plate having achannel in its under surface along which coins may be advanced flatwise,a series of coin receiving passages for coins of dilferent sizesrespectively positioned successively along one edge of said channel andcommunicating therewith, a movable endless coin conveying meanspositioned below said plate having a series of alternately arrangeddisplaceable and rigid coin feeding abutments carried thereby andprojecting upwardly into and movable along said channel with means forsupporting coins flatwise between the abutments, said gage plate havingan opening for feeding coins therethrough onto said coin conveyingmeans, means for temporarily restraining coins in said channel atpositions corresponding respectively to the discharge passage for theparticular coin size, the displaceable abutments being operated when itsrespective coin is restrained in said channel and the succeeding rigidabutment being effective to move the coin into the correspondingdischarge passage, and counting means connected to be actuated by thesaid displacement operation.

8. In a coin counting mechanism, a gage plate meanshaving a channel inwhich coins are adapted to lie flat-- wise and be advanced edgewisetherealong, a movable endless coin conveyor having a series of pinsadapted to project into said channel and engage the edges of and advancethe coins, said channel having gaging means for:

stopping coins at predetermined positions, said pins being mounted inopenings in said conveyor and spring pressed into coin feeding positionand having cam surfaces for engaging the coins whereby when therespective coin is stopped the pin is depressed into the conveyor andthe pin may continue to advance with the conveyor, and counter actuatingmeans having an element positioned to be operated by the depressed pinin its advance.

9.In a coin sorting mechanism a gage plate having an arc-shaped channelin its under surface along which coins may be advanced flatwise, arotary coin conveying plate positioned below said gage plate havingspaced abutments projecting upwardly into and movable along said channelwith means for supporting coins flatwise between the abutments, meansfor feeding coins onto said coin conveying means, a series of coinreceiving passages positioned successively along the outer edge of saidchannel and communicating therewith said channel having at one'side coinrestraining shoulders narrowing it successively in relation to saidpassages, alternate ones of said abutments being displaceably supportedon said rotary plate, and said latter plate having outer flange partslocated opposite the displaceable abutments for holding restrained coinsin the channel while the corresponding abutment advances and thesucceeding abutment efiects the discharge of the coin into the adjacentsaid passage,

10. In a coin counting mechanism, a gage plate means having a channel inwhich coins are adapted to be advanced, a movable endless coin conveyorhaving a series of pins adapted to project into said channel and engageand advance the coins, said channel having gaging means includingabutment means for stopping coins at predetermined positions, said pinsbeing mounted in openings in said conveyor and spring pressed into coinfeeding position and having cam surfaces for engaging the coins wherebywhen the respective coin is stopped the pin is depressed into theconveyor and the pin may continue to advance with the conveyor, movablymounted means arranged to be operated by the depressed pin in itsadvance, counter mechanism, and a flexible operating cable connectingsaid movably mounted means and said counter mechanism for actuating thelatter.

11. In a coin handling means, a coin gaging means having an arc-shapedcoin channel along which the coins may be advanced flatwise said channelhaving an inner side wall against which the coin edges are adapted toengage said wall being successively stepped outwardly to provideshoulders and correspondingly to narrow progressively the channel andprovide selective coin restraining means, a rotarycoin feeding platehaving spaced coin feeding abutment moveable in and along said channel,said abutments being resiliently urged into coin feeding position andautomatically retractable to permit continned movement of the abutmentand conveyor when the corresponding coin is stopped, and said platehaving rotatable therewith a segmental stop element located at the edgeand ahead of each abutment to restrain temporarily the coin againstoutward radial movement, means for discharging the stopped coinsradially outward after said segmental stop has advanced beyond therespective coin, and coin receiving means having a series of coinpassages positioned successively along-the outer edge of said channeland communicating therewith opposite said shoulders respectively.

12. In a coin handling device a gage plate having a gaging channelin-which the coins are adapted to be advanced edgewise, an endlessmovable coin feeding means having successive spaced abutments projectinginto and movable along said channel and adapted to engage against theedges of the respective coins, said channel having gaging-shouldersadapted to stop the advance of coins of different diameters at differentpositions along the channel, a coin receiving means at each of saidpositions said abutments being resiliently urged into coin feedingposition and automatically retractable to permit continued movement ofthe conveyor when the corresponding coin is stopped, and means fordischarging the stopped coins from said channel into the respective saidreceiving means.

13. In a coin sorting device a gage plate having a gaging channel at itsunder surface in which the coins are adapted to lie flat to be advancededgewise, a rotary coin feeding table below said plate havingsuccessivespaced pins mounted in openings in said table normallyprojecting into and movable along said channel and adapted to engageagainst the edges of the respective coins, said channel having gagingshoulders adapted to stop the advance of coins of diflferent diametersat diiferent positions along the channel, a coin discharge passageassociated with each of said positions, said pins being urged byresilient means upwardly into coin feeding position and having surfacescausing the pins to be cammed downwardly when the correspondingcoin isstopped permitting thepin to advance with the table under the coin, andmeans for discharging the stopped coins from said channel into therespective said receptacle.

14. In a coin sorting mechanism, a coin gaging means having a channelfor the coins, a coin receiving means having a series of dischargepassages for coins of different sizesspaced successively along andadapted to communicatewith said channel, means for feeding coinsalongsaid channel, means for temporarily restraining coins in said channel atpositions corresponding respectively to the discharge passage for theparticular coin sizes, said feeding means including a series ofalternately arranged displace able and rigid coin feedingabutments, thedisplaceable abutments being moved to a non-feeding position when itsrespective coin is restrained in saidchannel and the succeeding rigidabutment being effective to move the coin into the correspondingdischarge passage.

15. In a coin counting device a plate having a channel in which thecoins are adapted to be advanced edgewise, an endless movable coinfeeding means having successive spaced abutments projecting into andmovable along said channel and adapted to engage against the edges ofthe respective-coins, said channel having a gaging shoulder meansadapted to stop the advance of a coin of a predetermined diameter,- saidabutmentsbeing resiliently urged into coin feedingpositionand-automatically retractable to, permit continued movementofthe conveyor when the; corresponding coin is stopped, countermeans-connected to be operated by theretraction of the abutments, andmeans for discharging the stopped coins from said channel. i

16. In a coin countingdevicea plate-having a channel at its undersurface in which the'coins are adapted tolie fiat to beadvancededgewise, a rotary coin feeding table below said plate havingsuccessive spaced pins mounted in openings in said table normallyprojecting into and movable along-said channel and'adapted to engageagainstthe edges. of therespective coins, said channel havinga shoulderadapted to stop the advancein the channel'of a coin of a predetermineddiameter, said pins being urged by resilient means upwardly into coinfeeding position and having surfaces causing the pins'to be cammeddownwardly. when the corresponding coin is stopped permitting the pintoadvance with the table underthe coin, counter means connected to beoperated by the retraction of the pins, and meansfor discharging thestopped coins from said channel.

References Cited in the 'file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

